Yes, the late season was closed as a "feel good" measure, IMO. Every study I've seen over the years bears out the same conclusion- hunters have no additive effect on grouse mortality. They simply closed it to give the appearance they are doing something.
The GC has failed miserably at their own stated goals for creating ESH laid out in their most recent "Grouse Plan". The only thing that man can do to aid grouse is create the habitat they need to survive and we simply aren't doing that anywhere near what's prescribed in their plan. IIRC, the last number I saw was they are cutting/burning somewhere between 7-10% of the amount of hardwoods on gamelands that they said they were going to do. Lots of excuses.
I'm not of the belief that WNV isn't impacting grouse populations, just not convinced it's the boogeyman that the GC is trying to make it out to be. It seems like an easy excuse to blame the disease for the decline in grouse numbers as opposed to actually managing our forested areas like they are tasked to do.
I believe the last I heard, IF it is reinstated, it won't be until the 2020-2021 season. Don't hold your breath.
Sorry it messes up your Grousemas Lloyd. You're not alone in your disappointment.
**One positive is that there does seem to be a good bit of cutting being done by the DCNR on state forest lands. I have no accurate accounting of the acreage, just my observations from the areas in the northern tier I've been hunting over the last few years.
Last edited by Marc Ret; 11/22/17 01:18 AM.
